It is not. Globally, it is on the rise.
India has satellites in orbit and nuclear weapons, yet each year over 15 million Indians ritually wash away their sins in the River of Ganges. The religious sayings of Buddha have outlived the secular sayings of Mao. The extreme capitalistic system in Iran and the extreme communist system in Poland have given way to religious fundamentalism.
But, amid the parliamentary democracies and free markets of the West, we tend to dismiss religion as a spent force.
This is a mistake.
Religion is important. It is the most potent force in operation in human society.
For most of mankind, the freedom to worship is even more important than the freedom to work, vote or own property. Yet Amnesty International provides evidence that, the United Nation Charter notwithstanding, insecure governments in many parts of the world that are afraid of religious forces, are restricting religious freedom and engaging in religious persecution or restriction.
Christianity is the largest most "global" religion in human history and is continuing to grow and spread rapidly.
This article tries to look at the four of the world's other major religion. These are Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism; their history, beliefs and numbers. I will investigate their "state of mind" as they jostle for their place on the world stage.
JUDAISM
History:
Jews trace their spiritual and racial origins to Abraham (circa 1900BC) and believed that Moses led them out of Egyptian slavery to the "Promised Land" (Modern Israel). Moses is the most venerated of all Jewish leaders because of this and because of the law he established. The law forms the basis for Judaism and has been largely incorporated into Christianity and Islam.
The Jewish nation was overrun by a succession of foreign empires and, as a result Jews were dispersed into the Persian Empire and the entire Mediterranean world. Finally, during the Roman occupation, there emerged a rigid religious code of Belief and Practice written in the Mishnah, Midrash and Talmud despite centuries of dispersion and mobility the Jews maintained a high degree of ethic and religious unity.
There are two main sects: the Orthodox, who keep rigidly to traditional Judaism, and the Reformed, who attempt to harmonize their faith with modern society.
The Jews have suffered many persecutions through the centuries, most notoriously under the Nazis from 1933 to 1945. While the Zionist movement began toward the end of the last century, it was the persecution of the Jews in the present century that gave it international support. The Zionist aim is to re-inhabit the "Promised Land". In 1948, a Jewish state, Israel, was established. This has led to political and religious antagonism with Muslim nations in the Middle East.
Today, Jews live virtually everywhere in the world, but primarily in Israel, Russia and USA. Globally, there are 18 million of them with two million in Europe.
Fundamental Beliefs:
Judaism was the most monotheistic religion. God has created, and sustained life. The Law of Moses is legally binding and spiritually enlightening. Jews see themselves as a special people, singled out for God's blessing. The Old Testament is their sacred scripture. All aspects of life fall under religious control. Time is strictly regulated by the weekly Sabbath rest day and regular religious feast.Diet is closely controlled. Not only are pork and other uncleaned meat banned, but food must be prepared according to strict kosher rule.
The Jews await the coming of the Messiah, a Liberator who will established a perfect society based upon the Law. He will be of global significance and bring about a new era in worlds history.
Current Status:
The Nazi holocaust and the establishment of Israel still affects Jewish thinking. Many previously secular Jews are now rediscovering their spiritual heritage. The migration of East European Jews to Israel is adding to territorial sensitivity in the Middle East. Elsewhere in the world there is an aggressive new mood among the younger generation determined to protect them from what they see as a neo- fascist and Arab conspiracy to annihilate them. No religious group in the world history has been so constantly persecuted and hated as the Jews.
ISLAM
History:
Islam originated with the Prophet- warrior Muhammad who preached in Arabia from A.D. 610- 632. He stressed that all Arabs were descendants of Abraham and called them to unite under his leadership. By the time he died he had built up a powerful religious and political empire bases on the Holy City of Mecca. Soon after his death, the faith split into two sects- the Shi'a and the Sunni.
Islam grew rapidly to conquer the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Europe and Asia within 150 years of Muhammad's death. A period of cultural and scholarly development followed in the middle ages. Conflict with Christianity and Hinduism continued for centuries.
Islamic power and territory declined as the industrial revolution gave European nations world dominance. The religion was suppressed to an extent. However, the last decades have seen a massive revival in Islam, due mainly to the acquisition of nationhood and oil wealth.
With more than 900 million Muslims, Islam is the world's second largest religion after Christianity. There are atleast 12 million Muslims in Europe.
Fundamental Beliefs:
Islam means "submission to God". This is achieved by obedience to His will as detailed in the Koran, written by Muhammad. Good works include regular prayer, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is also required. Alcohol and pork are banned. The Koran teaches an afterlife. Islam is a missionary religion, and evangelizing the whole world is its goal. Witnessing can range from personal persuasion to Holy War. Many Muslims await the advent of a messianic savior or Mahdi.
Current Status:
The upsurge in Islamic fundamentalism has brought it to the world's attention. The 1979 revolution in Iran, and the horrific civil war in Lebanon are its most notorious manifestations. Many countries have abandoned other forms of government in favor of Islamic fundamentalism due to popular demand or armed revolution.
There is widespread resentment of Western, non- Islamic values in Muslim communities everywhere.
HINDUISM
History:
Hinduism began in the Indus Valley circa 1500 BC. The Vedic scriptures, the social caste system and agricultural ritual formed its early basis. During the classical era 400 BC- 400 AD., its scriptures spiritualized human experience and emphasized inner knowledge and karma- righteous actions. Yoga meditation also developed.
The emergence of Buddhism severely challenged Hinduism for a time, and it also had a struggle with invaders of other faiths. The Islamic Mogul Dynasty who was followed by European rulers ruled India. In the 20th century, led by Mahatma Gandhi, India regained political and religious independence, but only at the expense of religious partition. Of the world's 500 million Hindus, 90 percent live in India. There are also sizeable communities in East Africa, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Europe's one million Hindus live mostly in Britain and Holland.
Fundamental Beliefs:
Hinduism's ultimate goal is moksha- liberation from the cycle of ignorance and desire. This culminates in absorption into the absolute. Due to the caste system this is a slow process. The priestly caste, Bhramins, is close to moksha, but others can only hope for reincarnation higher up the caste ladder- hence reincarnation's importance.
Hinduism has literally thousands of gods, forming an elaborate hierarchy in which each part of the absolute. Through pilgrimage, ritual washing, attending festivals and serving the gods. The Hindu can make spiritual progress.
The Hindu scriptures include hymns of knowledge, sacrificial manuals, teachings and sagas that teach spiritual truth through myth. Most famous is the Bhagavad Gita, the story of Krishna, a benevolent incarnation of Vishnu.
Current Status:
Gandhi helped bring Hinduism to the world's attention. But much that he achieved has been undermined by India's politico- religious corruption and armed conflict with religious minorities. Hinduism has developed a missionay wing through sects like the Hare Krishna. The Hindu Diaspora is now quite powerful and the European council for Hindu organizations is an effective pressure group.
In theory, India is still a secular state. Nevertheless, Hindu traditionalists have fiercely opposed attempts by politicians at secularization and the destruction of the caste system. They seek Laws to stop the eating of beef, to enforce the caste system, to convert people back to Hinduism and to limit Christian evangelism. The world's only fundamentalist Hindu state, Nepal, is one of the most repressive on earth.
BUDDHISM
Buddhism was begun circa 500 B.C. by a Hindu Prince, Siddhartha Gautama (later the Buddha), who gave up his wealth and position to find the truth and to enlighten others. The religion spread rapidly, making gains at Hinduism's expense. In the 3rd century B.C. it gained political power and sent missionaries to the rest of Asia.
Upon reaching China and Japan it absorbed indigenous religions and developed a symbiotic coexistence with Japanese Shinto and Chinese Folk religion.
In this century, Buddhist philosophy began to spread to the curious West. Small Buddhist societies and even monasteries have been established in the USA and Europe. Recently Buddhist thought has surfaced in the powerful new age movement.
For some 300 million people it is a first religion, but a further 100 million are Buddhists after a fashion. The Buddhist population of Europe, including Asian immigrants, is about 300,000.
Fundamental Beliefs:
The life and teachings of Buddha guide every Buddhist. Buddha taught that the middle path between luxury and modification leads to enlightenment. Following the eight fold path must eliminate the selfish desires that cause pain: righteous belief, aims, speech, conduct, occupation, effort, thinking and medication.
The best way to follow the path is to become a monk. Monks must be celibate, nonviolent and own nothing. The Buddhist scriptures, the Triptica, contain the rules for monks, Buddha's sermons and system of thought Buddhists reject the Hindu caste system, and the role of gods. They do not worship, and Nirvana, the final goal, is achieved without divine help. It is reached through the efforts of many lifetimes, each one the reward for the last. Nirvana is loss of self and freedom from suffering. Nothing is permanent or absolute, not even god. Mahayana Buddhism teaches that some, like Buddha, are reborn so as to enlighten others.
Current Status:
Buddhists are perceived as withdrawn from society, but they are often highly active politically. There is a close relationship between religion and government in many Buddhist state like Sri Lanka. Burma (now Myanmar) has suffered a lot in the struggle to be either a secular or Buddhists state. As Buddhism reemerges after decades of suppression in Communist Asia, it is rallying point for new political movements.
In Europe, and the USA, Buddhist thought is inspiring those who seek an alternative to failed Western values. The New Age Movement seeks a society based on the Buddhist understanding that individuals can find in themselves answers to their spiritual needs. Eastern Buddhist masters see Western Society as the place where their faith will begin the rise to global dominance.
As we have seen, the great religions- except Christianity- do not have a clear belief or vision about the future of the world.
The Jews do await the coming of the Messiah to establish a perfect society based upon the law. But they do not say much about the characteristics of the new era He would bring about.
Muslims await the advent of a Messianic Savior who will bring Islamic justice to the world. By following Koranic teaching, the Muslim is supposed to attain afterlife.
Hinduism's ultimate goal is liberation from ignorance and desire and absorption into the "absolute". Buddhists believed that Nirvana, the final goal, which is loss of self and freedom from suffering, is reached through the efforts of many lifetimes, each one the reward for the last.
So we can see the most of the great world religions lack a clear conception of the destiny of human race. Yet everywhere in the world there is an increased religion tension. Politics and religion cannot be detached, because the vast majority of mankind is passionately religious. Religious expansion, persecution and belief have shaped our world in the past, and continue to do so now. The world we live in has changed irrevocably, and the old restrictions of distance and communication that kept religious groups apart are gone for good. The geographical locations of religions have also changed, making interaction- hostile or otherwise- inevitable. All these religions are jostling for position, recognition and attention.
The continent of Europe, and not very long the Philippines, can no longer be considered Christian. Many religious options are open to us as we approach the next millennium.
Secularism is only providing the space and conditions for a great religious resurgence. This will occur at a time of political strife and economic uncertainty. There are choices that we must make. It is imperative that we make the right choice. All paths are not the same, all ways do not lead to the same destination.
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